CHICAGO — Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will have surgery today to repair the fractured thumb on his right throwing hand, and the team is hoping he will be able to return before the end of the regular season.

“We’re anticipating a good result, but we’ll know more hopefully in the next 48 hours,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said Tuesday on NFL.com. “It’s a shame because he was really coming into his own. The things he was doing were pretty special.”

Angelo said team doctors believe Cutler has a chance of getting back on the field before Chicago ends its regular season at Minnesota on New Year’s Day.

Cutler was injured trying to help tackle Antoine Cason on an interception return in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 31-20 victory over the Chargers. The Bears are expected to start former Colorado State quarterback Caleb Hanie at Oakland this week, but they are looking for a veteran backup.

The Bears have won five consecutive games and are tied with Detroit for second in the NFC North at 7-3.

Also, the Bears signed long snapper Jake Laptad to a three-year contract to replace Patrick Mannelly, who ruptured the anterior-cruciate ligament in his left knee on an extra-point attempt midway through the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Chargers.

Roethlisberger likely to go

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger’s fractured right thumb didn’t put him on the sideline the day it happened — the Steelers’ Nov. 13 win at Cincinnati. And Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said it won’t keep the quarterback out this Sunday against the Chiefs.

“Those of us who know Ben understand that he’s going to show and show for his teammates,” Tomlin said.

Roethlisberger fractured the thumb during the second half against the Bengals but didn’t miss a snap. The bye week allowed the thumb to start healing, and Roethlisberger has practiced this week.

Lewis hopes to face 49ers

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis hasn’t abandoned hope of returning from a foot injury in time to play Thursday night against the 49ers.

Lewis said in a statement he is “taking every opportunity to get treatment on my foot to prepare to play on Thursday.”

Lewis said as a team leader, “It doesn’t sit well with me to be on the sidelines.”

Footnotes.

The Redskins released running back Tashard Choice, signed running back Evan Royster to their active roster and added running back Tristan Davis to the practice squad.

Four assistant basketball coaches at Division I schools and a top Adidas executive were among 10 people charged Tuesday with crimes including bribery and fraud as part of a wide-ranging federal investigation into corruption in college basketball.

CenturyLink, the telecommunications company that ended its sponsorship agreement with Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall because of his protests during the national anthem last year, said it will not terminate its agreement with current client Emmanuel Sanders.